ON SCULPTING THE PHYSIQUE

ON SCULPTING THE PHYSIQUE

Erle Frayne Argonza / Ra

When is body strong and sturdy

But on occasions of rhythmic rounds

To sweatshops o’ physique’s crafting.

You are the sculptor your body wood

That you will shape with exquisite beauty and

Undisguised strength.

Your shaped physique is one authentic

Samson: it will mortally slaughter

Time as it reposes its own morgue;

Cremated is the browbeating fatigue

You are to your Self no cynic

Smoothened are the chances for your wishes

To do myriad works unlimitedly.

Like a true sculptor fulfilled

In its shaping, you are t’ward your

Physical frame.

[Writ. 15 May 1991, Cubao, Quezon City,M.Manila]

REFLECTION

Regular cleansing of your subtle and physical bodies is a constitutive part of the Teaching. Clean bodies will allow for smoother flow of divine energies down your ‘lower systems’ and ensure greater balance of all of your bodies—biophysical, astral-etheric, mental, causal, soul/nirvanic, paranirvanic, monadic.

A physical program—of your choice and suited for your physical frame and condition—is a must in the Path. You can never hear a guru direct you to “abandon physical regimen because it is evil.” What an incompetent guru such a teacher can be if ever, for rest assured there is no one of such mediocrity. I myself took the way of gym weight training (powerlifting) as my physical regimen, though prior to that I swam and jogged for a decade before shifting to gym work.

Till these days I maintain my gym work, though I never compete anymore (I retired from competitive powerlifting in 1993). It is very strongly yang-oriented, which balances my yin-oriented kriya-agni meditation practice. Combined with meditation and related regimen, physical program contributes immensely to slowing down your aging process, to quote: “it will mortally slaughter / Time as it reposes its own morgue.”

Paramahansa Yogananda’s meditation circle (mentored by Sri Yutekswar Giri) had jujitsu as the required physical regimen. Shaolin seekers and monks have kung fu. Some other seekers’ and mystical circles have their peculiar physical regimen or ‘physical culture’. Clearly, physical culture is a constitutive part of the Teaching, and being lackadaisical about it will ensure immeasurable imbalances felt by you along the way.

Ra

April 2011